Washable Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove mildew stains from Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex. Most mildew stains can be removed during regular laundering if they are moistened beforehand.

If a stain remains:

Test fabric for colorfastness.
If color doesn't change, cover stain with a paste of lemon juice and salt.
On cotton and linen, make a paste from an oxygen bleach, water, and a few drops of ammonia.
Let paste cover stain for 15 to 30 minutes.
Flush thoroughly with water and launder again.

I find Oxiclean will remove almost any stain. I had a white 100% cotton napkin with dried red wine stains. I had tried every remedy I could find. Finally, I stuck it in a bowl with a scoop of Oxiclean dissolved in water and let it soak overnight. The next day, the stains were completely gone. I don't know how it would affect color, however, so this remedy might be your last resort before throwing the curtain away.

I used Oxyclean on a dark green cotton shirt that had a large grease stain on the front. The stain had already been washed and dried in the dryer..sigh. I figured it was a lost cause. Well the shirt looks new after I soaked it for 24 hrs in the powdered Oxyclean and hot water. None of the color came out at all. It states that the Oxyclean is used for colors too. Your shower curtain is a lost cause so go ahead but you will likely be pleased. Remember to use the powdered and dissolve it in hot hot water and then add the curtain. Good Luck. c

Thanks for the suggestions of the Oxyclean. That is the one thing I have not yet tried. I bought a curtain from West Elm that is the closest I could find, so at least I have something if it doesn't work.

Let us know if it works, please. :)

Yes I will. I will probably not get to it this weekend. I may even already have some Oxyclean that I've never used.

I have never found the color safe bleach to be very effective. If all else fails with your shower curtain I would soak it in a very mild solution of regular chlorine bleach. Many fabrics, including shower curtains, are extremely colorfast so mild bleach often takes out the 'intruder' without affecting the fabric color. I would gradually increase the strength of the bleach solution until it removes the mildew. This has worked for me many, many times with mildew and other stains.

Update?

No, I've had too busy of a week at work. I hope to get to it this weekend.

That sounds like me. Weekends are so full of activities and chores that it's hard to find time for special projects sometimes.

It's in process. I've changed out the hot water once and used a plastic scrub brush as recommended. I've got the powder in the canister. It will still have to soak longer than it has, but it seems better. I am not optimistic I will get the entire stains out.

I don't think you need to change out the water. Just leave the affected section in the water that has a good amount of the OxiClean dissolved in it undisturbed for at least 24 hours, then check it.

Thanks. I will let it soak overnight and probably check on it tomorrow after work.

Well, it soaked for over 30 hours, and there is only a little improvement. One area looks pretty good, but the two others are not so good. I don't know if it's worth another round or not.

Well, GSC, you're the proud owner of the world's cleanest shower curtain (the mildew must be completely disinfected, though persistent!). Sorry the results of all your efforts are not what you hoped for.

I wonder about this shower curtain in the "Limeade" color? It's a modern stripe.

Love your wall color, btw, what is it? Your floor tile is cute too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Martha Stewart Shower Curtain

I'm so disappointed for you. Try one last thing...if you want to...make a thick paste from Oxiclean and a little bit of water. Cover the mildew spots with the paste and leave it overnight. If that doesn't get the stain out, I don't think anything will.

When you have exhausted all other ideas please try my suggestion of a weak solution of regular chlorine bleach. Gradually add more bleach, waiting 10 minutes or longer between each 'dose' to assess the effect until either the mildew disappears or the color from your shower curtain disappears! This has worked for me so many times over the years, including on mildewed shower curtains.

Thanks, ladies, for the feedback. I may try the other solutions, but once again, it will have to wait for the weekend most likely. I have this shower curtain from West Elm, but it's much more green than it looks on the screen.

S-G, our walls are painted in a sand texture paint from Lowe's with a coat of clear poly over it. I don't have the color anymore but it was some kind of aqua. It was very messy to apply because when you roll it per the directions, it gives you a free exfoliation and you have to wear eye protection. This bathroom has has been painted many times over the years, so this hides all the defects until we do a gut remodel. Ultimately, we'd love an addition and expand both of our baths.

Here is a link that might be useful: West Elm Shower Curtain

Oh well, this weekend has gotten away from me, so no update.

LOL! Thanks for the no update-update. :-)

UPDATE: Sis3's method WORKED! I started out weaker and added just a little more bleach, and that did it! Thee colors did not fade, either. Wow, it even got that one lower corner opposite the one in the pic that was really a mess. I truly thought it was hopeless. I was ready to take down the Christmas shower curtain so I figured I'd give it a try or else hang up the new one.

THANK YOU!!

You are welcome! I am so glad you gave it a try! Thank you for the update.

Yay, Sis3. I'll be keeping your method in my mental file. Thank you, Gsciencechick, for the update and congratulations on your success.